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1. Become informed. Visit websites such as
www.iast.net,
www.salvationarmyusa.org/trafficking, www.uri.edu/artsci/wms/hughes/hughes.htm,
and www.catwinternational.org.
2. Organize Sunday school classes or prayer groups to pray for the end of
sexual trafficking. The Initiative Against Sexual Trafficking can send prayer
guides upon request. Email your request to penny_matheson@usn.salvationarmy.org
or call 703.519.5896.
3. Preach a sermon. Deliver a message from the pulpit about the need to abolish
slavery and reaffirming the inherent, God-given dignity of the human race.
4. Spread the word. Raise the issue of sexual trafficking with people you know
or meet. Make brochures and other literature about the subject available at
information tables. Hang an anti-trafficking poster in your church, business, or
office. For anti-trafficking posters or other resources email penny_matheson@usn.salvationarmy.org
or call 703.519.5896.
5. Host a briefing or training on the topic of sexual trafficking in your corps
in the community by bringing together anti-trafficking experts as well as local
community leaders. IAST and the National Headquarters anti-trafficking staff are
glad to work with individuals, groups, and corps wishing to organize such
events.
6. Write articles and/or letters of opinion for local papers, church
publications, denominational publications, or other publications.
7. Watch and report. Keep your eyes and ears open for reports and evidence of
trafficking in your community. Report such matters to local authorities as well
as the Trafficking in Persons Hotline at 1-888-373-7888. Forward news articles
about sexual trafficking to the Initiative Against Sexual Trafficking office via
email to: penny_matheson@usn.salvationarmy.org.
8. Sign up for news and information about sexual trafficking from the
Initiative Against Sexual Trafficking. Interested people can join a free email
listserve which distributes news about trafficking from around the world. IAST
also makes available a free packet of information about sexual trafficking on
request. To request a packet email penny_matheson@usn.salvationarmy.org or call
703.519.5896.
9. Volunteer. The Initiative Against Sexual Trafficking would benefit greatly
from people who could volunteer to do research, website development, graphic
design, law review, and volunteer coordination.
10. Use your musical talents to write and record a song about trafficking.
11. Produce your own anti-trafficking video. A group of students from a
Washington DC area college as part of an advocacy project produced an eight
minute video on trafficking. Perhaps you can too.
12. Organize to enforce zoning laws and to close strip clubs and "massage
parlors" -- the fronts for prostitution and trafficking -- in your local
community.
13. Work with local churches and community leaders to develop outreach to help
women and children exit the sex industry. Start by identifying and mapping where
the sex industry has a presence in your community and then organize prayer teams
to do prayer walks or "drive-by" prayer in those areas. Strategize creative ways
to do outreach to the women on the street or in the strip clubs. Programs like
Sex Industry Survivors Anonymous or ROSES (Reaching Out To Our Sexually
Exploited Sisters) can provide a frame work for getting started. For information
about such programs contact lisa_thompson@usn.salvationarmy.org or call
703.519.5896.
14. Develop social services. Victims of organized sexual exploitation are often
in desperate need of shelter and other services.
15. Protect your children. Adults Saving Kids produces a wonderful six-session
for youth in grades 7, 8, and 9. It creates awareness of the lures of commercial
sexual exploitation and provides resources for them. To order email ahartman@adultssavingkids.org
or call 612.872.0684. Additionally consider launching a PROMISE (Partnership to
Rescue Our Minors from Sexual Exploitation) Initiative in your community. For
more information contact Adam_Freer@usw.salvationarmy.org or call
16. Write, call or visit the office of your U.S. congressional leaders. Tell
them you support the End Demand for Sex Trafficking Act of 2005. Other important
legislation such as the Reauthorization of the Trafficking Victims Protection
Act is likely to be introduced this year. For more information on either bill
contact Lisa Thompson at lisa_thompson@usn.salvationarmy.org or call
703.519.5896.
17. Combat Demand. Start a program in your community for people struggling with
sexual addictions. For more information on combatting sexual addictions see
Avenue at www.avenueresource.com or Faithful and True Ministries at
www.faithfulandtrueministries.com. Also work in your community to seek the
arrest of buyers of commercial sex, as well as to develop deterrent sex offender
programs.
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